How Can You Find Replacement Bucket Bushings for a Case 9030B

[MikePhua]

The Case 9030B and Its Legacy in Excavator Design
The Case 9030B hydraulic excavator was part of Case’s mid-size lineup in the 1990s, designed for general excavation, trenching, and utility work. With an operating weight around 20 metric tons and a dig depth exceeding 6 meters, the 9030B offered solid performance and reliability. It featured a conventional boom-stick-bucket configuration, powered by a turbocharged diesel engine and supported by a robust undercarriage.
Though discontinued decades ago, the 9030B remains active in rental fleets and private ownership, especially in North America. Its longevity is a testament to its mechanical simplicity and durable frame. However, sourcing parts—especially wear components like bucket bushings—has become increasingly difficult.
Terminology Notes

• Bucket Bushing: A cylindrical sleeve that reduces friction between the bucket pin and the mounting ears. It absorbs wear and allows smooth pivoting.
  
• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): Parts produced by the original brand or its licensed suppliers.
  
• Aftermarket: Parts produced by third-party manufacturers, often more affordable but variable in quality.
  
• Machined Locally: Custom fabrication of parts using lathes, mills, or CNC equipment based on measurements or samples.
  

Challenges in Finding Discontinued Parts
Bucket bushings are high-wear items, especially in machines used for demolition, rock handling, or trenching. Over time, bushings elongate, crack, or seize—leading to pin damage and misalignment. For the Case 9030B, OEM bushings may no longer be stocked by dealers, and part numbers may be obsolete in digital catalogs.
Operators often face two choices:

• Search for aftermarket suppliers who specialize in legacy equipment
  
• Have bushings machined locally using original samples or technical drawings
  

One technician in Georgia reported that his local dealer no longer carried the bushings for the 9030B bucket, prompting him to explore fabrication options. He found a local machine shop willing to replicate the bushing using hardened steel and grease grooves, based on the worn sample.
Strategies for Sourcing or Fabrication

• Measure the inner and outer diameter of the existing bushing, along with length and flange dimensions
  
• Check for grease holes or grooves—some bushings are lubricated through internal channels
  
• Contact bucket manufacturers like ESCO, Hensley, or Werk-Brau who may offer compatible bushings
  
• Use bushing catalogs from hydraulic cylinder suppliers or heavy equipment rebuilders
  
• Request heat-treated steel with Rockwell hardness ratings suitable for excavation use
  

Some operators have success using bushings from similar-sized excavators, such as the Case CX210 or older Link-Belt models, provided the pin diameter and ear spacing match. Others retrofit universal bushings and ream the ears to fit.
Recommendations for Long-Term Maintenance

• Inspect bushings every 500 hours or during bucket swaps
  
• Use anti-seize compound during installation to prevent galling
  
• Grease regularly if bushings are designed for lubrication
  
• Replace pins and bushings together to avoid uneven wear
  
• Keep a spare set if operating in remote areas or with legacy equipment
  

Conclusion
Finding replacement bucket bushings for a Case 9030B requires creativity and precision. With OEM parts discontinued, operators must rely on aftermarket suppliers or custom machining. By measuring accurately, sourcing quality materials, and maintaining lubrication, even a decades-old excavator can continue working reliably. The 9030B may be retired from catalogs, but its legacy lives on in the hands of those who know how to keep it moving.